The Bulldogs were the first in a long line of successful touch teams to hail from the Macleay and it didn’t take them long to make their mark on the sport, with the players bringing a flair and uncanny natural ability rarely seen to the game.

Formed in November 1978 by Paul Silva (deceased), the team was a selection of the most talented young indigenous footballers in Kempsey.

With an average playing age of 17 years the side was very much an unknown quantity, but Silva had few hesitations in entering the team, then known as the Rabbitohs, in the Port Macquarie Touch Association competition.

The Rabbitohs swept through the season undefeated, winning the premiership and Challenge Cup Series under the leadership of current Dunghutti Broncos president Charlie Quinlan.

The side was lauded for its success and looked to take the game to a new level in NSW, but was forced into a name change after the clothing company producing the team uniforms was unable to supply a red and green strip.

Thus they became Bulldogs and in 1979 they played in carnivals all over the State, winning many.

The plaudits continued to roll in for the players and that same year many were signed up by the now defunct Smithtown rugby league club.

On a sadder note, 1979 also proved to be Silva’s last year as manager of the team and at the end of the season he stepped down from the role, handing the reigns to Leeton Smith Jr.

Eager to start the 1979-80 season on a high, Smith entered the Bulldogs in the inaugural Kempsey Touch Association competition, which they duly won.

He then entered the team in the Australian Club Championship in Queensland.

The side reached the semi finals and came fourth, the highest an Aboriginal team has finished.

It was the crowning glory for the team and cemented the Bulldogs place as one of the best touch football sides in the country.